Jennifer Lopez tribute to Motown at Grammys sparks backlash

Jennifer Lopez performs a medley during a tribute to Motown's 60th anniversary at the 61st annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

Jennifer Lopez paid tribute to the Motown record label at the Grammy Awards – but viewers at home did not appear impressed.

Taking to the stage of the Staples Centre in Los Angeles and backed by a troop of dancers, the vocalist sang a medley of hits including Square Biz and Please Mr Postman to celebrate Motown’s 60th anniversary.

The 49-year-old was joined by Alicia Keys and Smokey Robinson, the founder and frontman of The Miracles, the vocal group that came to define Motown’s sound.

But people watching at home asked why a black performer could not have been chosen to honour a label with such a deep association with black culture.

One fan suggested that the trio of singers who sang a tribute to Aretha Franklin earlier in the ceremony should have also performed the Motown tribute.

Any one of these three— Yolanda, Fanny or Audra— could have held down a Motown tribute. Ain’t no need to have all three of them on Natural Woman. #grammys